Rory Buccheri

It may be a bit of a travel cliché, but in York, old and new exist in rare harmony. A cultural hub since Roman times, this city maintains a lasting historical charm, with many of our ancient ancestors’ constructions still standing strong. But if you’re after some more modern sights, there’s plenty here for the inquisitive visitor to get lost in, from sumptuous restaurants to buzzing bars and contemporary art galleries (and everything in between). Ready to get out there and explore? Here’s our pick of the best things to do in York right now. RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in York🍸 The best bars in York🍺 The best pubs in York🏘️ The best Airbnbs in York Rory Buccheri is a writer based in York. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links. These have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

What is it? York’s most famous historic street, the Shambles, are a picture-perfect place, with dozens of perfectly preserved, charming medieval buildings. Now a trendy spot, the Shambles have a gruesome past, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, when the streets and intersecting alleys were used as an open-air slaughterhouse and hosted many butcher's shops. Is it worth visiting?  With their timber and wood-framed buildings and winding, cobbled alleys, the Shambles offer a unique experience to taste a slice of British history alive and thriving in the present. To this day, they keep their bewitching charm thanks to a string of quirky shops and cafés.  Tickets, accessibility and booking Being a public street, it's free to enter. However, you can expect the Shambles to get quite crowded over the weekend and during festive periods. A weekday or morning trip won’t make the cobbled streets any easier on the feet, but it will allow you a quieter, less crowded experience. Where's good to eat nearby? You’re in the heart of the city centre, so the world’s your oyster. Head to Duck Shack for a delicious Hong Kong BBQ, or to the Shambles Kitchen for the best deli sandwiches in town. The Shambles Market, the UK's largest open-air market, is the best place to head for a variety of food all under one ‘roof’. It has options for every taste, from Greek street food to Thai, Sicilian and Moroccan.

What is it?  Known also as ‘Roman walls’, the original structure dates back to 71 AD, when the city was fortified and connected to the Via Pretoria by the Romans. The history of the walls is a long one, with the Vikings and Normans building towers and strategic fortifications to better protect the ancient city within. Now a defining feature of the city’s landscape, their uniqueness lies in being almost entirely preserved, and walkable from beginning to end.  Is it worth visiting? Without a doubt. The walls are a fantastic feature, containing York city centre in a circular hug. The pleasant strolling experience alone is worth it, but you will also see lots of residents using them to get to various places. The walls are a practical connection between York’s main attractions, taking you from the historic Micklegate to the Central Station and from Clifford Tower to the city centre. Tickets, accessibility and booking They are free to access, and are open dawn to dusk. The walls are sometimes closed during winter due to frost and depending on weather conditions. Unfortunately, no part of the walls is wheelchair accessible due to narrow paths and stone steps. Where's good to eat nearby? If you feel like a treat, The Star Inn has an impressive menu populated almost entirely by fresh Yorkshire produce and it’s only two minutes’ walk from the Western walls, connecting the Micklegate to the city centre. Or you can head to the Walmgate, York’s foodie street, just 5 minutes’ walk from the